PLANT CITY, Fla. — According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of visits to hospital emergency rooms by homeless individuals has significantly increased. The estimated number of visits per year has risen from 141 visits per 100 persons during 2010-2011 to 310 visits during 2020-2021.

Emergency room nurse Melanie Park in Plant City has seen this increase in her hospital, and believes that it is due to the lack of homeless shelters in the area.

Despite the challenges, the nurse has been doing her best to assist these patients and was recently recognized by HCA Florida Hospitals with a humanitarian award for her efforts.

Park, a Plant City native, has been working as a nurse in an emergency room for 40 years where she deals with patients experiencing various ailments.

She's expanded her duties beyond the emergency room in recent years at HCA Florida Plant City, helping give homeless patients necessities after receiving medical care.

Park calls it “Mel’s Closet,” which she launched after giving a patient new shoes six years ago.

“Her shoes were held together with rubber bands,” she recalls. “She was excited. She walked out straighter and with pride.”

The closet is stocked with men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, which Park uses most of her own money to supply.

After retirement, she plans to focus on Mel's Closet full time.

“It makes you feel good to make people feel good,” she said. “I was born in Plant city. This is my home. I want to make it a better place."

For information on how to donate items to Mel’s Care Closet, contact HCA Emergency Department Manager Derika Graham via email. The greatest need is socks and men’s and children’s clothing. Donations should be new items with tags.